Montreux Jazz Festival Miami Bolsters Lineup, Adds Seu Jorge As Headliner

The inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Miami has bolstered its lineup weeks away from the event with the addition of Brazilian samba star Seu Jorge, who was given top billing along with previously announced artists Jon Batiste, Daryl Hall and Daniela Mercury.

The festival, which takes place March 1-3 at The Hangar in Coconut Grove, Florida, also added gospel artists Israel Houghton and Cory Henry, jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, reggae band The Wailers, Grammy-nominated hip-hop producer Rogét Chahayed, pianist Justin Kauflin, Cimafunk, Lia de Itamaracá, Miami’s own Emily Estefan, Adrian Cota and pianist Mathis Picard.

The Montreux Jazz Festival is a long-running music event that takes place for two weeks every summer on the shores of Geneva, Switzerland. Created in 1967, it was originally a jazz experience but later began inviting artists from other genres — including Bob Dylan, Elton John, David Bowie, Marvin Gaye, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Leonard Cohen — to partake in the festivities. The Montreux Jazz Festival has traveled to other cities in its history, including Detroit and São Paulo in Brazil, and now it is being exported to Miami for the first time. The festival will also have its iconic jam session during which musicians gather to “create magical music moments.” This year’s jam session is curated by Elmo Lovano, a professional musician and CEO of Jammcard, a networking platform for musicians.

“As a city of cultural connection, Miami naturally lends itself to the musical diversity that Montreux has become synonymous with,” Mathieu Jaton, CEO of Montreux Jazz Festival, said in a statement. “We believe that the waterfront location and the artists performing in this first edition are a true reflection of the original Montreux Jazz Festival experience.”

Batiste, who has won five Grammy Awards as well as an Academy Award, will perform Friday, March 1, along with Cécile McLorin Salvant, Israel Houghton, Lia de Itamaracá, Justin Kauflin and Rogét Chahayed. Mercury and Jorge will headline the second night, which also features Cimafunk, Adrian Cota and the Winston House Band. Henry, Estefan and Picard will play the third night, which will be closed out by Hall.

“The Montreux Jazz Festival is a truly magical experience for artists and music lovers of all kinds,” Batiste said in a statement. “I’m honored to play a part in bringing this experience across the ocean to Miami and challenging the borders of musical genres. It’s going to be an unforgettable three days.”

Single-day passes begin at $199 and VIP tickets start at $699. Fans who purchase three-day VIP passes can attend a masterclass and Q&A conducted by Batiste. Tickets to the jam session are available for $99.

For more information about tickets and the festival, visit montreuxjazzfestivalmiami.com.